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Crime Stats: compare key data on Switzerland & United States

Edsel.G

Author: Edsel.G

As of 2010, Switzerland has an estimated number of crimes at 530 thousand. Of that more than half-a-million crimes, there are 53 deaths by murder and homicide and close to 200 were failed murder attempts. In the US, the number is significantly higher, but that does not necessarily mean that crime is worse in the US; it must be noted that Switzerland has a population of a little more than 8 million, while the US is close to 300 million.

The most serious crimes in Switzerland include assault, rape, and burglary. By 2012, rape in the country, according to a UN study, was at 8.7 crimes per 100 thousand population. The US, based on the same study for the same period, has 28.6 rapes per 100 thousand.

For assault crimes, Switzerland has approximately 115 crimes committed by 2012, compared against 212 in the US. Technically, assault as a crime can vary between countries. In many European countries like Sweden or Norway, assault can include those which may not cause serious physical injuries. In some countries, however, assault merely covers those which resulted in serious bodily harm. This second definition is used to define assault in the US and Switzerland.

Burglary is the most serious crime in Switzerland and it has the 10th highest recorded burglary crimes among all OECD (Organization for European Economic Cooperation) countries. According to the same [UN study] (http://www.civitas.org.uk/crime/crimestatsoecdjan2012.pdf), the small yet wealthy European country has over 840 burglaries by 2012 against 715 in the US.

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Definitions

  • Age of criminal responsibility: The age at which a person is no longer excluded from criminal liability.  The lowest age is indicated for countries where there isn’t a single age limit, for example where different states have different regulations (such as the USA) or there is different limits for boy and girls (such as in Iran). The spectrum is specifically wide for the USA and Mexico (both 6-12 years). Several US states do not stipulate any minimal age for criminal responsibility at all. For further qualifications, exceptions and other notes, please refer to notes.
  • Crime levels: Level of crime. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How serious you feel the level of crime is?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Drugs > Annual cannabis use: Estimate of percentage of 15-64 year old population who use Cannabis.
  • Drugs > Opiates use: Annual prevalence.
  • Justice system > Punishment > Capital punishment (last execution year): Year of last use.
  • Murder rate: Homicide rate per year per 100,000 inhabitants in various countries.
  • Murders with firearms per million: Total recorded intentional homicides committed with a firearm. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Police officers: Number of police officers per 100,000 population.
  • Total crimes: Note: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Total crimes per 1000: Note: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Violent crime > Gun crime > Guns per 100 residents: Number of privately owned small firearms per 100 residents.
  • Violent crime > Intentional homicide rate: Homicides per 100’000 residents. Homicide is the death of a person purposefully inflicted by another person (it excludes suicides) outside of a state of war. Homicide is a broader category than murder, as it also includes manslaughter. The exact legal definition varies across countries, some of which include infanticide, assisted suicide, euthanasia and deaths caused by dangerous driving.
  • Violent crime > Murder rate: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population.
  • Violent crime > Murder rate per million people: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Violent crime > Murders per million people: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population. Figures expressed per million people for the same year.
  • Violent crime > Murders: Intentional homicide, number and rate per 100,000 population.
  • Burglaries: Number of burglaries recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Robberies: Number of robberies recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Believes crime increasing in the past 3 years: Crime increasing in the past 3 years. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "In the past three years would you say the level of crime in your community has increased, stayed about the same, or decreased?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Fear of crime > Violent hate crime: Worries being subject to a physical attack because of your skin colour, ethnic origin or religion. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being subject to a physical attack because of your skin colour, ethnic origin or religion?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > At night: Safety walking alone during night. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How safe do you feel walking alone in this city during the night?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Murders > Per 100,000 people: Intentional homicide rate is the estimate of intentional homicides in a country as a result of domestic disputes that end in a killing, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, inter-gang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. The term, intentional homicide, is broad, but it does not include all intentional killing. In particular, deaths arising from armed conflict are usually considered separately. The difference is usually described by the organisation of the killing. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas the killing in armed conflict is usually committed by more or less cohesive groups of up to several hundred members. Two main sources of data are presented: criminal justice (law enforcement) measures (this series), supplemented by data from national statistical agencies, and measures from public health sources (see other intentional homicide series). These various sources measure slightly different phenomena and are therefore unlikely to provide identical numbers."
  • Murders with firearms: Total recorded intentional homicides committed with a firearm. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Rape victims: People victimized by sexual assault (as a % of the total population). Data refer to female population only. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Prisoners: Total persons incarcerated
  • Assaults: Number of assaults recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Punishment > Maximum length of sentence: Maximum length of sentence (under life).

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Auto theft: Number of motor vehicle thefts (car thefts) recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Perceived problems > Problem violent crimes including assault and armed robbery: Problem violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) violent crimes such as assault and armed robbery?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Murders > WHO: Intentional homicide rate is the estimate of intentional homicides in a country as a result of domestic disputes that end in a killing, interpersonal violence, violent conflicts over land resources, inter-gang violence over turf or control, and predatory violence and killing by armed groups. The term, intentional homicide, is broad, but it does not include all intentional killing. In particular, deaths arising from armed conflict are usually considered separately. The difference is usually described by the organisation of the killing. Individuals or small groups usually commit homicide, whereas the killing in armed conflict is usually committed by more or less cohesive groups of up to several hundred members. Two main sources of data are presented: criminal justice (law enforcement) measures (this series), supplemented by data from national statistical agencies, and measures from public health sources (see other intentional homicide series). These various sources measure slightly different phenomena and are therefore unlikely to provide identical numbers."
  • Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > During the day: Safety walking alone during daylight. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How safe do you feel walking alone in this city during the daylight?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Assault victims: People victimized by assault (as a % of the total population). Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevelence.
  • Total crime victims: People victimized by crime (as a % of the total population). Data refer to people victimized by one or more of 11 crimes recorded in the survey: robbery, burglary, attempted burglary, car theft, car vandalism, bicycle theft, sexual assault, theft from car, theft of personal property, assault and threats. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Prisoners > Per capita: Data for 2003. Number of prisoners held per 100,000 population.
  • Punishment > Crimes possibly attracting life sentence: Possible other sentence.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Fear of crime > Worries about being attacked: Worries attacked. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being physically attacked by strangers?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Software piracy rate: The piracy rate is the total number of units of pirated software deployed in 2007 divided by the total units of software installed.
  • Perceived problems > Property crimes including vandalism and theft: Problem property crimes such as vandalism and theft. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) property crimes such as vandalism and theft?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Drug offences: Drug offence cases per 100,000 population (2000).
  • Perceived problems > Illegal drugs: Problem people using or dealing drugs. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) people using or dealing drugs?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Perceived problems > Problem corruption and bribery: Problem corruption and bribery. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How much of a problem are...) corruption and bribery?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Punishment > Minimum life sentence to serve before eligibility for requesting parole: Minimum to serve before eligibility for requesting parole.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Fear of crime > Worries about being insulted: Worries being insulted. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being insulted or pestered by anybody, while in the street or any other public place?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Fear of crime > Worries about being mugged or robbed: Worries being mugged or robbed. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......being mugged and robbed?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Illicit drugs: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Frauds: Total recorded frauds. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Gun ownership > Guns per 100 residents > 2007: Number of guns owned per 100 residents in various countries. Following data relates to the year 2007.
  • Serious assaults: Number of major assaults recorded by police in that country per 100,000 population.
  • Prisoners per 1000: Total persons incarcerated. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Murders committed by youths: Homicide rates among youths aged 10–29 years by country or area: most recent year available (variable 1990–1999).
  • Punishment > Crimes requiring mandatory sentence: Mandatory sentence.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Judges: Number of professional judges per 100,000 population.
  • Property crime victims: People victimized by property crime (as a % of the total population). Includes car theft, theft from car, burglary with entry and attempted burglary. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Fear of crime > Worries about home break and enter: Worries home broken and things stolen. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "How worried are you about....having your home broken into and something stolen?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Drugs > HIV testing amongst drug users: Estimated percentage of injecting drug users who have been tested for HIV.
  • Robbery victims: People victimized by robbery (as a % of the total population). Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Prisoners > Female: Female prisoners, expressed as a percentage share of the total prison population. Data for 2003.
  • Suicide rates > Ages 15-24: Suicide rates per 100,000 people by given age group, late 1990s.
  • Judges and Magistrates: Number of Judges and Magistrates
  • Punishment > Life sentence under the age of 18 or 21: Under age of 18 (or 21).

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Punishment > Has life imprisonment: Life imprisonment.

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Car thefts: Total recorded automobile thefts. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Car thefts per 1000: Total recorded automobile thefts. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Perception of safety > Walking in dark: Proportions in International Crime Victims Survey 2000 reporting that they feel safe walking in the dark.
  • Murders committed by youths per million: Homicide rates among youths aged 10–29 years by country or area: most recent year available (variable 1990–1999). Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Fear of crime > Worries about things from car being stolen: Worries things from car stolen. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......having things stolen from your car?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Punishment > Has indefinite sentence: Indefinite sentence (excl. preventive or psychiatric detainment).

    No date was available from the Wikipedia article, so we used the date of retrieval.

  • Judges and Magistrates per million: Number of Judges and Magistrates. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Fear of crime > Worries about car being stolen: Worries car stolen. Based on 0-50 contributions for Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria and 82 more countries and 50-100 contributions for Argentina, Belgium, Bulgaria and 24 more countries and over 100 contributions for Australia, Brazil, Canada and 17 more countries. The surveys were conducted by numbeo.com from July, 2011 to February, 2014. See this sample survey for the United States, respondents were asked "(How worried are you about)......having your car stolen?". The higher the value, the more survey respondents believe it is high in their country.
  • Believe in police efficiency: Proportion of people in international Crime Victims Survey 2000 who say police do a good job in controlling crime in their area.
  • Prison staff: Number of correction staff in adult prisons per 100,000 population.
  • Jails: Total number of adult prisons, penal or correctional institutions (excluding temporary jail lock-ups). Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Perception of safety > Burglary: Proportions in International Crime Victims Survey 2000 reporting that they feel only a small risk of burglary.
  • Prisoners > Foreign prisoners: Prisoners who are foreign nationals, expressed as a percentage share of total prison population. Data for 2003.
  • Suicide rates > Ages 25-34: Suicide rates per 100,000 people in the given age group, late 1990s.
  • Prisoners > Share of prison capacity filled: The percentage of the offical prison capacity filled. This is obtained by comparing the number of prisoners in a nation to the offical capacity of the nation's prison system. Data for 2003.
  • Frauds per 1000: Total recorded frauds. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per thousand population for the same year.
  • Bribery victims: People victimized by bribery (corruption) (as a % of the total population). Data refer to people who have been asked or expected to pay a bribe by a government official. Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Embezzlements: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence.
  • Jails per million: Total number of adult prisons, penal or correctional institutions (excluding temporary jail lock-ups). Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Embezzlements per million: Crime statistics are often better indicators of prevalence of law enforcement and willingness to report crime, than actual prevalence. Figures expressed per million population for the same year.
  • Suicide rates > Ages above 75: Suicide rates per 100,000 people in the given age group, late 1990s.
  • Suicide rates > Ages 35-44: Suicide rates per 100,000 people in the given age group, late 1990s.
  • Reporting to police: Proportions in International Crime Victims Survey 2000 who feel they can report crimes to police - perception.
  • Prisoners > Pre-trial detainees: The percentage of the prison population that is being held pre-trial / on remand. Data for 2003.
  • Suicide rates > Ages 45-54: Suicide rates per 100,000 people in the given age group, late 1990s.
  • Suicide rates > Ages 65-74: Suicide rates per 100,000 people in the given age group, late 1990s.
  • Suicide rates > Ages 55-64: Suicide rates per 100,000 people in the given age group, late 1990s.
STAT Switzerland United States HISTORY
Age of criminal responsibility 10
Ranked 40th. 67% more than United States
6
Ranked 58th.
Crime levels 27.4
Ranked 74th.
55.84
Ranked 30th. 2 times more than Switzerland
Drugs > Annual cannabis use 3.4%
Ranked 15th.
13.7%
Ranked 1st. 4 times more than Switzerland
Drugs > Opiates use 0.6%
Ranked 4th. 5% more than United States
0.57%
Ranked 3rd.
Justice system > Punishment > Capital punishment (last execution year) 1,944
Ranked 27th.
2,014
Ranked 1st. 4% more than Switzerland
Murder rate 0.71 5
Murders with firearms per million 9.33
Ranked 21st.
32.57
Ranked 10th. 3 times more than Switzerland
Police officers 0.9
Ranked 10th.
243.6
Ranked 27th. 271 times more than Switzerland
Total crimes 307,631
Ranked 31st.
11.88 million
Ranked 1st. 39 times more than Switzerland
Total crimes per 1000 42.23
Ranked 20th. 2% more than United States
41.29
Ranked 22nd.
Violent crime > Gun crime > Guns per 100 residents 45.7
Ranked 4th.
88.8
Ranked 1st. 94% more than Switzerland
Violent crime > Intentional homicide rate 1.25
Ranked 39th.
4.7
Ranked 7th. 4 times more than Switzerland

Violent crime > Murder rate 52
Ranked 68th.
12,996
Ranked 9th. 250 times more than Switzerland

Violent crime > Murder rate per million people 6.65
Ranked 82nd.
42.01
Ranked 43th. 6 times more than Switzerland

Violent crime > Murders per million people 6.65
Ranked 82nd.
42.01
Ranked 43th. 6 times more than Switzerland

Violent crime > Murders 52
Ranked 68th.
12,996
Ranked 9th. 250 times more than Switzerland

Burglaries 758.1
Ranked 8th. 6% more than United States
714.4
Ranked 9th.

Robberies 54.6
Ranked 36th.
146.4
Ranked 10th. 3 times more than Switzerland
Believes crime increasing in the past 3 years 64.56
Ranked 45th.
65.22
Ranked 44th. 1% more than Switzerland
Fear of crime > Violent hate crime 20.83
Ranked 71st.
32.55
Ranked 31st. 56% more than Switzerland
Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > At night 70.19
Ranked 18th. 68% more than United States
41.84
Ranked 60th.
Murders > Per 100,000 people 2.9
Ranked 79th.
5.9
Ranked 63th. 2 times more than Switzerland
Murders with firearms 68
Ranked 23th.
9,369
Ranked 4th. 138 times more than Switzerland
Rape victims 0.6%
Ranked 12th. 50% more than United States
0.4%
Ranked 13th.
Prisoners 4,982 prisoners
Ranked 96th.
2.02 million prisoners
Ranked 1st. 405 times more than Switzerland
Assaults 108.3
Ranked 31st.
786.7
Ranked 1st. 7 times more than Switzerland
Punishment > Maximum length of sentence None None
Auto theft 768.8
Ranked 1st. 97% more than United States
390.2
Ranked 6th.

Perceived problems > Problem violent crimes including assault and armed robbery 21.47
Ranked 79th.
75.54
Ranked 10th. 4 times more than Switzerland
Murders > WHO 0.9
Ranked 166th.
5.6
Ranked 88th. 6 times more than Switzerland
Fear of crime > Feels safe walking alone > During the day 89.42
Ranked 19th. 19% more than United States
75.24
Ranked 57th.

Assault victims 1%
Ranked 15th.
1.2%
Ranked 9th. 20% more than Switzerland
Total crime victims 18.2%
Ranked 18th.
21.1%
Ranked 15th. 16% more than Switzerland
Prisoners > Per capita 72 per 100,000 people
Ranked 111th.
715 per 100,000 people
Ranked 1st. 10 times more than Switzerland
Punishment > Crimes possibly attracting life sentence Aggravated murder, aggravated hostage-taking, genocide, endangering the independence of the country Varies by state
Fear of crime > Worries about being attacked 26.95
Ranked 74th.
42.08
Ranked 43th. 56% more than Switzerland
Software piracy rate 25%
Ranked 97th. 25% more than United States
20%
Ranked 106th.
Perceived problems > Property crimes including vandalism and theft 41.03
Ranked 69th.
57.93
Ranked 28th. 41% more than Switzerland
Drug offences 49,201 per 100,000 people
Ranked 5th. 88 times more than United States
560.1 per 100,000 people
Ranked 41st.
Perceived problems > Illegal drugs 45.72
Ranked 47th.
61.82
Ranked 19th. 35% more than Switzerland
Perceived problems > Problem corruption and bribery 21.38
Ranked 90th.
42.45
Ranked 69th. 99% more than Switzerland
Punishment > Minimum life sentence to serve before eligibility for requesting parole 10 years or 15 years; individually set by judge 15 years minimum to infinite, or never (depending on crime and state)
Fear of crime > Worries about being insulted 28.21
Ranked 76th.
44.84
Ranked 33th. 59% more than Switzerland
Fear of crime > Worries about being mugged or robbed 25.97
Ranked 75th.
45.01
Ranked 47th. 73% more than Switzerland
Illicit drugs a major international financial center vulnerable to the layering and integration stages of money laundering; despite significant legislation and reporting requirements, secrecy rules persist and nonresidents are permitted to conduct business through offshore entities and various intermediaries; transit country for and consumer of South American cocaine, Southwest Asian heroin, and Western European synthetics; domestic cannabis cultivation and limited ecstasy production world's largest consumer of cocaine (shipped from Colombia through Mexico and the Caribbean), Colombian heroin, and Mexican heroin and marijuana; major consumer of ecstasy and Mexican methamphetamine; minor consumer of high-quality Southeast Asian heroin; illicit producer of cannabis, marijuana, depressants, stimulants, hallucinogens, and methamphetamine; money-laundering center
Frauds 10,327
Ranked 27th.
371,800
Ranked 2nd. 36 times more than Switzerland
Gun ownership > Guns per 100 residents > 2007 45.7
Ranked 3rd.
88.8
Ranked 1st. 94% more than Switzerland
Serious assaults 2.9
Ranked 44th.
281.6
Ranked 1st. 97 times more than Switzerland
Prisoners per 1000 0.684 prisoners
Ranked 113th.
7.02 prisoners
Ranked 2nd. 10 times more than Switzerland
Murders committed by youths 17
Ranked 59th.
8,226
Ranked 3rd. 484 times more than Switzerland
Punishment > Crimes requiring mandatory sentence None Varies by state
Judges 10.6%
Ranked 4th.
10.8%
Ranked 3rd. 2% more than Switzerland

Property crime victims 4.5%
Ranked 17th.
10%
Ranked 7th. 2 times more than Switzerland
Fear of crime > Worries about home break and enter 34.87
Ranked 66th.
48.52
Ranked 39th. 39% more than Switzerland
Drugs > HIV testing amongst drug users 54.11%
Ranked 17th. 16% more than United States
46.8%
Ranked 12th.

Robbery victims 0.7%
Ranked 14th. 17% more than United States
0.6%
Ranked 16th.
Prisoners > Female 6.2%
Ranked 24th.
8.5%
Ranked 9th. 37% more than Switzerland
Suicide rates > Ages 15-24 17.9 per 100,000 people
Ranked 3rd. 31% more than United States
13.7 per 100,000 people
Ranked 7th.
Judges and Magistrates 770
Ranked 30th.
29,023
Ranked 3rd. 38 times more than Switzerland
Punishment > Life sentence under the age of 18 or 21 under 15 : no imprisonment 15\u201317 : max. 4 years' imprisonment Yes ( de jure )
Punishment > Has life imprisonment Yes Yes
Car thefts 65,571
Ranked 11th.
1.25 million
Ranked 1st. 19 times more than Switzerland
Car thefts per 1000 9
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than United States
4.33
Ranked 11th.
Perception of safety > Walking in dark 77%
Ranked 11th.
82%
Ranked 2nd. 6% more than Switzerland
Murders committed by youths per million 2.38
Ranked 58th.
29.48
Ranked 16th. 12 times more than Switzerland
Fear of crime > Worries about things from car being stolen 28
Ranked 82nd.
59.02
Ranked 33th. 2 times more than Switzerland
Punishment > Has indefinite sentence Yes Yes
Judges and Magistrates per million 105.7
Ranked 27th. 5% more than United States
100.91
Ranked 31st.
Fear of crime > Worries about car being stolen 17.67
Ranked 86th.
42.04
Ranked 45th. 2 times more than Switzerland
Believe in police efficiency 67%
Ranked 11th.
89%
Ranked 1st. 33% more than Switzerland
Prison staff 68.4%
Ranked 2nd.
138.3%
Ranked 1st. 2 times more than Switzerland

Jails 163
Ranked 19th.
1,558
Ranked 6th. 10 times more than Switzerland
Perception of safety > Burglary 64%
Ranked 8th.
78%
Ranked 4th. 22% more than Switzerland
Prisoners > Foreign prisoners 70.8%
Ranked 2nd. 142 times more than United States
0.5%
Ranked 77th.
Suicide rates > Ages 25-34 18.8 per 100,000 people
Ranked 6th. 23% more than United States
15.3 per 100,000 people
Ranked 10th.
Prisoners > Share of prison capacity filled 80.9%
Ranked 113th.
0.0
Ranked 126th.
Frauds per 1000 1.42
Ranked 20th. 10% more than United States
1.29
Ranked 24th.
Bribery victims 0.2%
Ranked 13th. The same as United States
0.2%
Ranked 12th.
Embezzlements 2,579
Ranked 22nd.
17,300
Ranked 4th. 7 times more than Switzerland
Jails per million 22.38
Ranked 8th. 4 times more than United States
5.42
Ranked 24th.
Embezzlements per million 354.03
Ranked 17th. 6 times more than United States
60.15
Ranked 39th.
Suicide rates > Ages above 75 50.6 per 100,000 people
Ranked 2nd. 2 times more than United States
22 per 100,000 people
Ranked 10th.
Suicide rates > Ages 35-44 21.8 per 100,000 people
Ranked 6th. 42% more than United States
15.3 per 100,000 people
Ranked 12th.
Reporting to police 52%
Ranked 8th. The same as United States
52%
Ranked 7th.
Prisoners > Pre-trial detainees 43%
Ranked 42nd. 2 times more than United States
20%
Ranked 106th.
Suicide rates > Ages 45-54 27.8 per 100,000 people
Ranked 6th. 94% more than United States
14.3 per 100,000 people
Ranked 13th.
Suicide rates > Ages 65-74 30.7 per 100,000 people
Ranked 5th. Twice as much as United States
15.3 per 100,000 people
Ranked 11th.
Suicide rates > Ages 55-64 27.4 per 100,000 people
Ranked 5th. 2 times more than United States
13.3 per 100,000 people
Ranked 13th.

SOURCES: Wikipedia: Defense of infancy (Ages of criminal responsibility by country); crime; https://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/WDR2011/World_Drug_Report_2011_ebook.pdf, World Drug Report 2011, United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), 2011, p. 217.; Wikipedia: List of countries by prevalence of opiates use ("World Drug Report 2011" . United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2011. "World Drug Report 2006" . United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. 2006. http://www.unodc.org/documents/wdr/WDR_2009/WDR2009_eng_web.pdf); Wikipedia: Capital punishment in Europe (Abolition); The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention). Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control International Statistics on Crime and Justice, 2011; The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention); The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention). Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; Annexe I of the Small Arms Survey 2007 ; Wikipedia: List of countries by intentional homicide rate by decade; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Source tables; United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime. Source tables. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; European Institute for Crime Prevention and Control International Statistics on Crime and Justice, 2011; UN Office on Drugs and Crime, UN Survey of Crime Trends, at http://www.unodc.org/documents/data-and-analysis/IHS-rates-05012009.pdf.; UNICRI (United Nations Interregional Crime and Justice Research Institute). 2002. Correspondence on data on crime victims. March. Turin; Wikipedia: Life imprisonment (Summary by country); World Health Organisation.; International Centre for Prison Studies - World Prison Brief; Fifth Annual BSA and IDC Global Software Piracy Study; CIA World Factbooks 18 December 2003 to 28 March 2011; Geneva Graduate Institute of International Studies: Small Arms Survey 2007 Part 2; World Health Organization: World report on violence and health, 2002; Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS. Source tables; GECD Society at a Glance 2001, Statistical Annex Table D3; The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention); UN International Crime Victims' Survey; World Health Organization: World report on violence and health, 2002. Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention). Population figures from World Bank: (1) United Nations Population Division. World Population Prospects, (2) United Nations Statistical Division. Population and Vital Statistics Report (various years), (3) Census reports and other statistical publications from national statistical offices, (4) Eurostat: Demographic Statistics, (5) Secretariat of the Pacific Community: Statistics and Demography Programme, and (6) U.S. Census Bureau: International Database.; The Eighth United Nations Survey on Crime Trends and the Operations of Criminal Justice Systems (2002) (United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime, Centre for International Crime Prevention)

Citation

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As of 2010, Switzerland has an estimated number of crimes at 530 thousand. Of that more than half-a-million crimes, there are 53 deaths by murder and homicide and close to 200 were failed murder attempts. In the US, the number is significantly higher, but that does not necessarily mean that crime is worse in the US; it must be noted that Switzerland has a population of a little more than 8 million, while the US is close to 300 million.

The most serious crimes in Switzerland include assault, rape, and burglary. By 2012, rape in the country, according to a UN study, was at 8.7 crimes per 100 thousand population. The US, based on the same study for the same period, has 28.6 rapes per 100 thousand.

For assault crimes, Switzerland has approximately 115 crimes committed by 2012, compared against 212 in the US. Technically, assault as a crime can vary between countries. In many European countries like Sweden or Norway, assault can include those which may not cause serious physical injuries. In some countries, however, assault merely covers those which resulted in serious bodily harm. This second definition is used to define assault in the US and Switzerland.

Burglary is the most serious crime in Switzerland and it has the 10th highest recorded burglary crimes among all OECD (Organization for European Economic Cooperation) countries. According to the same [UN study] (http://www.civitas.org.uk/crime/crimestatsoecdjan2012.pdf), the small yet wealthy European country has over 840 burglaries by 2012 against 715 in the US.

Posted on 06 Apr 2014

Edsel.G

Edsel.G

247 Stat enthusiast

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